PHOTOS: Barrowman Frenches Guy as Commonwealth Games Begin in Scotland

7.23.2014

By Neal Broverman

The Commonwealth Games, a pseudo-Olympics that involves nations tied to Britain, includes 53 nations competing in sport.

Acknowledging that 42 out of 53 Commonwealth nations criminalize homosexuality to some extent, out Doctor Who actor John Barrowman made a point to publicly kiss a man during the event's opening ceremonies on Monday in Glasgow.

Barrowman, who's Scottish, laid one on Dunbar, a comedian, as millions watched (and the Queen was in attendance!). Britain's deputy prime minister was also there and voiced support for LGBTs: "We’ve come a long way in this country towards achieving the genuine equality that LGBT people have always wanted and deserved. This includes last year’s landmark equal marriage reform. Yet there’s still a huge amount to be done across the world."

The Games, established in 1930, include sporting categories like rowing, diving, table tennis, and weightlifting. Competing nations include LGBT-friendly Australia, Canada, and South Africa, as well as virulently homophobic countries like Jamaica and Pakistan. Read more here.